Photo by daniel james on Unsplash
Innovative Media – Skopje condemns the hate speech, threats, and violence directed towards Ekvalis over the past month. This statement is not merely an announcement but a collective voice rising against the hatred, threats, and harassment the organization has endured.
In early June, Ekvalis announced the Summer School for LGBTI+ Youth and Straight/Cisgender Allies as part of their ongoing effort to foster friendships, provide support where the system has failed, and create allies to combat stereotypes and discrimination against vulnerable youth. Unfortunately, the initiative met with immediate opposition.
Ljupco Ristevski, leader of the conservative political party “Integra,” was one of the first to denounce the program, labeling it as the “work of the devil” and calling for a strong reaction from the Church. This incitement was followed by Gordana Godzo, a known anti-vaxxer, who criticized the location of the school in Kratovo.
In the subsequent days, local social media profiles incited the community against Ekvalis, with threats escalating to calls for violence.
On June 17, 2024, Ekvalis filed a criminal complaint against Ljupco Ristovski, Gordana Godzo, and others for spreading racist and xenophobic material and endangering security.
We publicly call on the authorities to ensure they perform their duties in investigating and addressing the criminal complaint filed by Ekvalis. Appropriate legal action in response to this complaint is necessary not only for upholding justice but also for reinforcing the public’s trust in our legal and governmental institutions.
Racist and xenophobic behavior has no place in our society. It is imperative that those who propagate hate and incite fear are fully held accountable by the law. This will send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated and that our legal system is committed to protecting all members of our community.
Any organization, institution, informal group, collective, or academic community can stand in solidarity and show their support by signing the letter available at this link: https://forms.gle/SbCVQMz2PBWsVJdu8.
